BIM Evolved: BIM Expands to Meet Demand

The market for BIM (building information modeling) is anticipated to grow in the next few years, as the process improves quality control and productivity in construction. But are the technology providers poised to keep up with the demand for new solutions?

To this end, Autodesk, www.autodesk.com, San Rafael, Calif., has reached out to the construction market with the new BIM 360 Layout iPad app. The app employs BIM 360 cloud service to provide general contractors and MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) contractors the ability to connect BIM to the construction layout process. 

The new app connects design intent from a digital model with the physical world by controlling a robotic instrument from strategic partner to Autodesk, Topcon Corp., www.topcon.com, Tokyo, Japan. With a direct connection to the Topcon LN-100 Robotic Instrument via Wi-Fi—the field user is navigated to physical locations on the jobsite—based on points created in the 3D model that are represented in the BIM 360 Layout app.

Error-prone manual layout techniques are replaced with laser-guided precision, thereby enabling Autodesk BIM 360 Layout to improve field accuracy and productivity, as building designs are more accurately and quickly brought to life at the construction site. The result is significantly faster construction, which helps building projects get completed on-time and on-budget.

Users are able to connect the field point creation process within the coordinated model to the actual layout process without the need to manually prepare and export point lists. Contractors start with Autodesk Point Layout in connection with Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Navisworks software, or Autodesk Revit software, and then import the model with field points into the BIM 360 Glue Web service, which can then be synced with the BIM 360 Layout app on the iPad.

Ultimately, the purpose-built hardware solution in the LN-100 Robotic Instrument, paired with the BIM 360 Layout App, provides contractors with a solution that is tailored for their needs in delivering greater efficiency and accuracy on the jobsite.

Source: ConstrucTech